Exploring Azeroth...Caer Darrow (Scholomance)

It's common for players in WoW these days to rush through instances and link into LFD to level and gear as they progress. Sadly, there is so much lore in this game which has been forgotton. One of the things I still enjoy doing is exploring and linking the past of Azeroth with what is currently going on. To this end, while I am out and about I really enjoy finding little tidbits and information during my travels. To that end, I think it's important for players to enjoy the rich world that has been constructed for them.

So, today while out doing a mining run with my Paladin Ahrius, I also was finishing his exploration of the Western Plaguelands. Lake Darrowmere was my last hit. Now, I rememebr back in the pre Burning Crusade days when Scholomance was one of the tougher places to roll through. It also had some of the heaviest concentration of treasures that gleaned tons of gold (well for back then anyhow). But few have returned to the outlaying areas of the instance. Now it may not seem like much...but there is a place here worth your time as a crafter to hit up, hence the exploration piece.

From the north side of Lake Darrowmere

Now before I get into the actual bonus of coming into Caer Darrow, let's take a moment for a quick history lesson which I got from the all famous WoWwiki. Please understand, everything here was lifted from WoWwiki for your information purposes only:

Ancient History

The island where the ruined town of Caer Darrow now sits was long ago the keeping place of an ancient runestone, known as the Runestone of Caer Darrow. The runestone served as an ancient monolith sacred to the high elves of Quel'Thalas. The artifact is said to have been erected by elven druids, a description which provides the only indication in lore that any high elves ever followed a druidic path. Runestones were later changed to have served as a barrier so that the Burning Legion would be unaware of the high elves' arcane magic.
The island has also been the site of one or more human fortifications dating back to the days of the empire of Arathor.

The Second War

During the Second War, the island was invaded by the Horde, the fortress sacked, and the sacred runestone captured. The stone was hewn into pieces which were used to create the Altars of Storms, arcane structures which allowed Gul'dan to instill magic into the Horde's ogre allies.
When Uther Lightbringer embarked for the isle on a mission of mercy to aid and comfort the survivors of the bloody raid, he was ambushed by privateers from Alterac. In the naval battle that followed, some of the sailors were captured; during questioning in Lordaeron's capital, they confessed their nation's treachery to the Alliance, leading to Alterac's eventual ruin.

The Barovs and Scholomance

Following the Second War, the fortress at Caer Darrow was restored; the rule of the island by the Barov family dates back to at least this time. The Barovs were extremely wealthy, owning the land which comprised Caer Darrow, Brill, Southshore, and Tarren Mill. Not content with their enormous holdings, the Barovs entered into a deal with the human mage Kel'Thuzad, leader of the Cult of the Damned. The once opulent House of Barov became the horrific Scholomance, a school of necromancy. The spirits of many of the island's inhabitants remain, seeking justice for the horrific wrongs committed there.

Fall of the town

The people of Caer Darrow survived within their small town for several months after the fall of Lordaeron. When the Scourge invaded Andorhal however, a large host attacked Caer Darrow. Aided by troops from Scholomance, it was then that the town finally came to an end.

Current State

The island and surrounding lake have become lifeless and still. Only meager fish are still able to survive in the murky waters and the towering fortress seems to suck hope itself from the surrounding air. Every year or so new students can be seen entering the manor, or graduates grimly sulking out. Only ghosts of the town's former inhabitants remain, only visible with the spectral essence given by the manor's former servants. The townspeople seem to be cursed to re-live Caer Darrow's happiest day for all eternity, the visitation of Uther the Lightbringer.

Ok, that was your quick history lesson. The cool part though was finding Magnus Frostwake in one of the outlaying buildings. He has a couple of really nice Alchamy and Blacksmithing recipes that are excellent for lower level gear. It is worth your time if you collect recipes or just need a couple of really solid pieces of gear to come out and visit the old spectre. He is a friendly sort as ghosts go, and his prices are...well reasonable heh heh heh.




Recipes worth your time if you are an alchemist or Blacksmith

  So, in the end, don't discount these old places folks, you just might be passing up some recipes or gear you never knew existed. In the end, Azeroth still has a ton of things to offer..if you look hard enough. It's no always about rushing to the end game, but rather the journey and the roads you take to get there.

Till next time, may your pockets be lined with gold, ans glory be brought to your name!

Tinkering about

Looking about at his worktable, Grimrhok sought for the final piece of wiring for his latest project. Finding it amongst the pile of tiny gears and cogs he picked it up with the clamper and set it in place. For a moment nothing happened. Furrowing his shaggy brows, Grim fiddled with the placement and readjusted one of the cog fittings. A small whhirr errupted from his project and tiny little eye lenses errupted with green light.
"Swieekk" the tiny creation shrieked as it came to a life of it's own. Carefully, Grim closed the machinery flap and locked it into place.

A fine creation and new gift.

"There now", he grinned. "Looks like you'll make a fine little pet fer that sweet lass I been chasin'." The metallic squirrel chirped with delight and danced about. Grim thought of Mckaylee, the sweet dark haired scout he had been chasing. She had a winning smile and quick wit. Indeed her keen mind would enjoy this little gift. With the finishing touches, he packed the little squirrel away into a box along with written instructions and readied it for shipment.



Taking the box with him, he found a courier outside Thelsamaar and paid a few silver for careful shipment. It wasn't but a small gift, but as often as he had to march to the beat of Arathi war drums, he tried to be thoughtful when he took leave. With that done, he grabbed a pint of lager and pulled out the parchment that gave his latest return orders. The Arathi Basin had seen a lot of action of late and Ironforge had committed what troops they could. Being the fine marksman that he was, The High Command ordered him out again. With a sigh, he picked up his pack and rifle and headed out once again.

High Above the Basin, Grim over watches and defends the Lumber mill

Check this out.....Famous last words

In the Army, especially the combat arms, it is a time honored tradition for infantrymen and combat engineers to come up with some really crazy stuff that occasionally works and is more often than not a little dangerous. It is also a time honored tradition to either duck, cringe, or laugh at any said epic fail from some machination of a soldier stating "Check this shit out!". Well today, I decided to do something entirely new that I have never done in WoW, make an engineer! Crazy Dwarven Hunter Engineer to boot. Grimrhok took on the mantle of my latest PvP experiment and nothin better than a gun totin' grenade throwin Hunter in my book! So here is to lotsa fireworks and 'splosions in the near future!!!

Check this out! BOOM!

Now that was a "Blast!"